QUOTE
I have Dead or alive ^^ It has one of the coolest opening sequences ever.
And one of the coolest final scenes ever too!
Full Version: ASIAN CINEMA
And one of the coolest final scenes ever too!
True, although the final scenes of Audition are all sorts of awesome as well
QUOTE (dandan @ Aug 30 2006, 01:53 PM)
as far as 'ichi the killer' goes, well it's a film that's designed to be exploitative trash and it succeeds in that. i'm not quite sure why it garners such acclaim.
Because it's been readily available for ages and doesn't cost that much anymore. More people see it as a result and more people express their enjoyment. Simple as that I reckon.
I'm too tired to explain why I like Ichi, but I will say that I completely disagree with your opinion that it's exploitative trash. As ever, different stokes for different folks.
QUOTE (zeden)
Because it's been readily available for ages and doesn't cost that much anymore. More people see it as a result and more people express their enjoyment. Simple as that I reckon.
hmm, not sure it matters how long it's been out. still, the uk dvd is cheap, but the uncut version isn't that accessible. i think the main reason people watch it, is simply on it's reputation of being extreme.
QUOTE (zeden)
I'm too tired to explain why I like Ichi, but I will say that I completely disagree with your opinion that it's exploitative trash. As ever, different stokes for different folks.
'exploitative trash' isn't really an insult; i love lots of films that i'd describe as 'exploitative trash'...
i'd say 'ichi the killer' is a perfect example of an exploitation film; sex, violence and gore, done with style. miike put's his own twist on it, but it's classic (and i'm sure, quite deliberate) exploitation...
QUOTE
Stephen Chow's Long River 7 Now in Production
2006-08-30 10:07:45 Monkeypeaches.com
Shooting of Stephen Chow's Long River 7 (literal title) just began yesterday at an elementary school in Ningbo City of eastern China, according to local newspaper Xian Dai Jin Bo.
Due to security measure, the paper did not get anything about the actual filming except a few pictures of the school before the filming and several young actors arriving the location by bus.
Long River, called Yangtze River in the lower reach, is China's longest and world's third longest river. "Long River 7" is actually referring to a Chinese satellite, inspired by China's Shenzhou manned space program.
2006-08-30 10:07:45 Monkeypeaches.com
Shooting of Stephen Chow's Long River 7 (literal title) just began yesterday at an elementary school in Ningbo City of eastern China, according to local newspaper Xian Dai Jin Bo.
Due to security measure, the paper did not get anything about the actual filming except a few pictures of the school before the filming and several young actors arriving the location by bus.
Long River, called Yangtze River in the lower reach, is China's longest and world's third longest river. "Long River 7" is actually referring to a Chinese satellite, inspired by China's Shenzhou manned space program.
good news...
QUOTE ( the standard)
Woo set for China screen battle
Min Lee
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Director John Woo says he hopes his upcoming film set in ancient China, Battle of Red Cliff, will prove that Chinese can produce Hollywood-style blockbusters.
"Chinese film has made great strides in technical skill, creativity and many areas. I want to prove that we can make a Hollywood-style big production in China, to allow our technical talent to show their skills in all areas," said Woo at a cooperation signing ceremony with the state-run China Film Group in Beijing.
Footage of Monday's ceremony was posted on Sina.com Tuesday.
China has gradually deregulated its film industry in recent years as its moviegoing audience grows, allowing private companies, instead of state-run movie studios to shoot films. Production budgets have risen. Famed director Chen Kaige's mythology The Promise cost US$35 million (HK$273 million).
Woo's business partner Terence Chang said in April he hopes to keep the budget of Battle of Red Cliff under US$50 million.
Woo also said Monday he wants to use the film to educate foreign audiences about Chinese culture.
"As a Chinese who has worked abroad for so many years ... I want to use a different angle to deepen foreigners' understanding of the Chinese people," he said.
Woo made his name in Hong Kong with films like A Better Tomorrow before moving on to Hollywood, where his credits include Broken Arrow, Face/ Off and Mission: Impossible II.
The Battle of Red Cliff is a key war in 208 that determined the geography of the "Three Kingdoms" period, when China had three separate rulers.
"I think this battle can best reflect how wise and united Chinese people are," Woo said.
Producer Chang said earlier the Chinese government views Battle of Red Cliff as a showcase for Chinese history and wants it to be released in the leadup to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Woo said confirmed cast members of Battle of Red Cliff include Chow Yun-fat, Cannes winner Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Taiwanese model Lin Chi-ling. Chang said in April shooting is due to start in March in northern Hebei province.
Woo said Tim Yip, an Oscar winner for his work on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon will design the production and famed Chinese cinematographer Gu Changwei, a frequent collaborator with Chinese directors Chen and Zhang Yimou, will helm the camera.
He said he plans to choose US companies to handle special effects.
Min Lee
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Director John Woo says he hopes his upcoming film set in ancient China, Battle of Red Cliff, will prove that Chinese can produce Hollywood-style blockbusters.
"Chinese film has made great strides in technical skill, creativity and many areas. I want to prove that we can make a Hollywood-style big production in China, to allow our technical talent to show their skills in all areas," said Woo at a cooperation signing ceremony with the state-run China Film Group in Beijing.
Footage of Monday's ceremony was posted on Sina.com Tuesday.
China has gradually deregulated its film industry in recent years as its moviegoing audience grows, allowing private companies, instead of state-run movie studios to shoot films. Production budgets have risen. Famed director Chen Kaige's mythology The Promise cost US$35 million (HK$273 million).
Woo's business partner Terence Chang said in April he hopes to keep the budget of Battle of Red Cliff under US$50 million.
Woo also said Monday he wants to use the film to educate foreign audiences about Chinese culture.
"As a Chinese who has worked abroad for so many years ... I want to use a different angle to deepen foreigners' understanding of the Chinese people," he said.
Woo made his name in Hong Kong with films like A Better Tomorrow before moving on to Hollywood, where his credits include Broken Arrow, Face/ Off and Mission: Impossible II.
The Battle of Red Cliff is a key war in 208 that determined the geography of the "Three Kingdoms" period, when China had three separate rulers.
"I think this battle can best reflect how wise and united Chinese people are," Woo said.
Producer Chang said earlier the Chinese government views Battle of Red Cliff as a showcase for Chinese history and wants it to be released in the leadup to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Woo said confirmed cast members of Battle of Red Cliff include Chow Yun-fat, Cannes winner Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Taiwanese model Lin Chi-ling. Chang said in April shooting is due to start in March in northern Hebei province.
Woo said Tim Yip, an Oscar winner for his work on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon will design the production and famed Chinese cinematographer Gu Changwei, a frequent collaborator with Chinese directors Chen and Zhang Yimou, will helm the camera.
He said he plans to choose US companies to handle special effects.
and that's pretty good news too; woo, chow and leung, back together!!!
QUOTE
I'm too tired to explain why I like Ichi, but I will say that I completely disagree with your opinion that it's exploitative trash. As ever, different stokes for different folks.
I agree, I dont think its exploitative trash. Its not my favourite film by a long way, I didnt particularly enjoy the experience but I think the Ichi is very clever filmaking - its supposed to frustrate you and make you uncomfortable.
Sha Po Lang is coming out on a decent looking r1 2-disc release - but retitled the cheap sounding 'Killzone'
kill zone specs
Does anyone know if a r2 release is in the pipeline, or if the Weinsteins even have UK rights to it?
QUOTE (dandan @ Aug 30 2006, 10:10 PM)
'exploitative trash' isn't really an insult; i love lots of films that i'd describe as 'exploitative trash'...
i'd say 'ichi the killer' is a perfect example of an exploitation film; sex, violence and gore, done with style. miike put's his own twist on it, but it's classic (and i'm sure, quite deliberate) exploitation...
good news...
i'd say 'ichi the killer' is a perfect example of an exploitation film; sex, violence and gore, done with style. miike put's his own twist on it, but it's classic (and i'm sure, quite deliberate) exploitation...
good news...
Ah, fair play. It's difficult to judge that kind of description.
Going to watch Joint Security area at some point over the weekend. Looks quite interesting. Need to watch Infernal Affairs 3 as well at some point.
QUOTE (zeden @ Aug 30 2006, 11:02 PM)
Need to watch Infernal Affairs 3 as well at some point.
I've yet to watch 2. I've got it and I don't even know what I'm saving it for.
I just watched 'Happy Together' and it's left me feeling pretty sad. Wong Kar-Wai is a stunning director and there was more mesmerising visuals with repetitive (not in a bad way) music. A reminder, as if I needed one, of what a fantastic actor Tony Leung is.
QUOTE (zeden @ Aug 30 2006, 10:02 PM)
Going to watch Joint Security area at some point over the weekend. Looks quite interesting.
After My Sassy Girl and Shiri probably one of the first Korean films I had seen. Very good film indeed. But not quite as good as the aforementioned films.
Just out of interest. What is everyones Top 5 Japanese, HK & Korean films (that'll be a difficult one. Prepare for the sound of Dan's head exploding)
I don't generally like answering that question in reference to asian cinema. You tend to get pompus stuck up asses who think their opinion is more meaningful then yours and will argue about your choices being rubbish.
Nevertheless I shall deliberate and get back to you sometime soon
Nevertheless I shall deliberate and get back to you sometime soon
QUOTE (monkeyman)
I don't generally like answering that question in reference to asian cinema. You tend to get pompus stuck up asses who think their opinion is more meaningful then yours and will argue about your choices being rubbish.
yeah, i do my best...
QUOTE (Sostie)
Just out of interest. What is everyones Top 5 Japanese, HK & Korean films (that'll be a difficult one. Prepare for the sound of Dan's head exploding).
tricky stuff. not sure if i can give a definitive 'top 5', but i can list five films that are bloody marvellous...
hong kong
duel to the death - the directorial debut of ching sui-tung and one of my all time favourite films. it's the story of a duel, that takes place every few years, between the best swordsmen from china and japan; but this time, foul play threatens the contest. it's simply stunning; the swordplay / wire-work was about ten years ahead of it's time and it also has some of the coolest ninja sequences commited to film.
dragons forever - it's so hard to choose a favourite jackie chan film, simply because he's made so many fantastic films. usually, i'd go with 'armour of god 2 : operation condor', but as i have to include some sammo hung in a top five, i'll go with the best of the three brothers' collaborations; yuen biao, being the third. a real showcase of the humour and choreographic flair of three of the greatest names in hong kong cinema.
in the mood for love - wong kar-wai's masterpiece, although 'fallen angels', 'chungking express', 'ashes of time' and a couple of others aren't far behind. the film tells the story of two neighbours, who discover that their respective spouses are having an affair; drawing the two of them together. a film of true beauty; christopher doyle's cinematography, the rainy streets of macau, a smouldering maggie cheung, an amazing soundtrack and no-one smokes like tony leung...
the killer - this just beats 'hard boiled' as my favourite john woo / chow yun fat collaboration; probably as i saw it first. i knew the film by reputation and bought it as soon as it got a vhs release (1994?) and thus began my love affair with hong kong cinema.
we're going to eat you - tsui hark's second film as director; a strange tale of a detective who tracks a killer to a remote island and soon realises that the locals man be more dangerous. a strange mix of horror, gore, humour and martial arts action. it also features the coolest ever rolling of a cigarette, mid-fight...
well, that's five and i've hardly scraped the surface; there's just so many great films, directors and actors in hong kong, that it's almost a thankless task, trying to narrow it down to just five.
korea
the isle - it's very hard to pick a favourite kim ki-duk film as he's pretty prolific and i can't think of one of his films that i haven't liked. his films are never usually easy to watch and to describe some of them as enjoyable would be pushing it. 'the isle' tells the story of a man on the run, who arrives at a small fishing resort and his relationship with the mute woman who runs it.
king and the clown - last year's suprise hit (over 12 million people went to see this at the cinema) from director lee jun-ik, tells the story of a troupe of minstrels who become favourites of the king, but soon become embroiled in the politics of the palace. a stunning, multi-layered film; crammed with fine performances, a fine soundtrack from lee byeong-woo and it's just a finely crafted production all round.
oasis - lee chang-dong's third film tells of an unconventional love story between a young woman with cerebral palsy and a young sociopathic man, which attracts condemnation. lee's first two films 'green fish' and 'peppermint candy' are both excellent, but i have to choose 'oasis' as the central performances by moon so-ri and sol kyung-gu are simply breath-taking.
sympathy for mr vengeance - i had to put one of these three in and it was a toss up between this one and 'sympathy for lady vengeance'. for me, this one says a lot more about korean cinema than the two other installments in the 'vengeance trilogy'; stylistically, it's far more sparse and gritty than the other two, but that's not to say that it doesn't have a healthy dose of style. there's also great central performances from the excellent song kang-ho and shin ha-kyun.
a tale of two sisters - kim ji-woon's amazingly beautiful 'horror' film. stunning performances, real tension and a fine collection of wallpaper. oh, and another great soundtrack from lee byeong-woo...
once again, i feel as if i've missed out loads of films, directors and actors that deserve a mention, but once again, it's just too hard to include everyone you want, when the pool to pick from is so rich with talent.
the isle - it's very hard to pick a favourite kim ki-duk film as he's pretty prolific and i can't think of one of his films that i haven't liked. his films are never usually easy to watch and to describe some of them as enjoyable would be pushing it. 'the isle' tells the story of a man on the run, who arrives at a small fishing resort and his relationship with the mute woman who runs it.
king and the clown - last year's suprise hit (over 12 million people went to see this at the cinema) from director lee jun-ik, tells the story of a troupe of minstrels who become favourites of the king, but soon become embroiled in the politics of the palace. a stunning, multi-layered film; crammed with fine performances, a fine soundtrack from lee byeong-woo and it's just a finely crafted production all round.
oasis - lee chang-dong's third film tells of an unconventional love story between a young woman with cerebral palsy and a young sociopathic man, which attracts condemnation. lee's first two films 'green fish' and 'peppermint candy' are both excellent, but i have to choose 'oasis' as the central performances by moon so-ri and sol kyung-gu are simply breath-taking.
sympathy for mr vengeance - i had to put one of these three in and it was a toss up between this one and 'sympathy for lady vengeance'. for me, this one says a lot more about korean cinema than the two other installments in the 'vengeance trilogy'; stylistically, it's far more sparse and gritty than the other two, but that's not to say that it doesn't have a healthy dose of style. there's also great central performances from the excellent song kang-ho and shin ha-kyun.
a tale of two sisters - kim ji-woon's amazingly beautiful 'horror' film. stunning performances, real tension and a fine collection of wallpaper. oh, and another great soundtrack from lee byeong-woo...
once again, i feel as if i've missed out loads of films, directors and actors that deserve a mention, but once again, it's just too hard to include everyone you want, when the pool to pick from is so rich with talent.
Korean choices are the easiest of the three for me. My tastes in Korean films is pretty mainstream
My Sassy Girl
Sublime romantic comedy that deserves a Western release. Probably won't happen until the Hollywood bastardisation eventually comes out.
Oldboy
A film that knocked me for six when I first saw it. I felt I had just experienced something special when I saw it.
Shiri
At heart a pretty standard action film, but totally engrossing and highly entertaining.
Memories Of Murder
I love this film for the same reasons I loved the similar Citizen X. Its a film about a police force trying to catch a serial killer - hindered not by the cleverness of the killer, but by the lack of experience and resources. Considering its based on a true story, it is a surprisinly funny film.
My Tutor Friend
Another top notch romantic comedy (a lot of them seem to have the word "my" in the title). What can I say, I'm a sucker for them.
Actually this was harder than expected. Could have easily put the other Vengeance films in there, along with JSA, My Wife Is A Gangster, Windstruck, Save The Green Planet, and many more I will probably remember as soon as this is posted.
I am ashamed to say I have never seen a kim ki-duk
film
My Sassy Girl
Sublime romantic comedy that deserves a Western release. Probably won't happen until the Hollywood bastardisation eventually comes out.
Oldboy
A film that knocked me for six when I first saw it. I felt I had just experienced something special when I saw it.
Shiri
At heart a pretty standard action film, but totally engrossing and highly entertaining.
Memories Of Murder
I love this film for the same reasons I loved the similar Citizen X. Its a film about a police force trying to catch a serial killer - hindered not by the cleverness of the killer, but by the lack of experience and resources. Considering its based on a true story, it is a surprisinly funny film.
My Tutor Friend
Another top notch romantic comedy (a lot of them seem to have the word "my" in the title). What can I say, I'm a sucker for them.
Actually this was harder than expected. Could have easily put the other Vengeance films in there, along with JSA, My Wife Is A Gangster, Windstruck, Save The Green Planet, and many more I will probably remember as soon as this is posted.
I am ashamed to say I have never seen a kim ki-duk
film
japan
akira - i remember seeing about five seconds of the motorbike chase on a film program that was talking about what was on at a couple of film festivals. i instantly forgot the title but, about a year later, i saw an advert from a new video label - manga - and their first release was to be 'akira'. i soon realised what it was and rushed out to get it as soon as it came out. amazing. still amazing today.
battle royale - yep, it's a fucking cracker.
lone wolf and cub : sword of vengeance - the first of the five babycart films, probably not my favourite (that would be 2 or 3), but the one that started off such a great series of films. style, substance, humour and more funky samurai action than you can possibly want.
love letter - the first shunj iiwai film that i saw, but by no means the last. it tells the story of a girl who sends a letter to her recently deceased fiance's old address and get's a reply. a truely beautiful piece of cinema.
yojimbo - my favourite kurosawa film and one of my all time favourite films; tohiro mifune and kurosawa just work so well together. great performances, great narrative, great diection; just great.
again, it's incredibly hard to narrow down a list of just five films. a testament to the strength of asian cinema; now, are we moving on to lists of or top five pieces of chinese, taiwanese and thai cinema next?
akira - i remember seeing about five seconds of the motorbike chase on a film program that was talking about what was on at a couple of film festivals. i instantly forgot the title but, about a year later, i saw an advert from a new video label - manga - and their first release was to be 'akira'. i soon realised what it was and rushed out to get it as soon as it came out. amazing. still amazing today.
battle royale - yep, it's a fucking cracker.
lone wolf and cub : sword of vengeance - the first of the five babycart films, probably not my favourite (that would be 2 or 3), but the one that started off such a great series of films. style, substance, humour and more funky samurai action than you can possibly want.
love letter - the first shunj iiwai film that i saw, but by no means the last. it tells the story of a girl who sends a letter to her recently deceased fiance's old address and get's a reply. a truely beautiful piece of cinema.
yojimbo - my favourite kurosawa film and one of my all time favourite films; tohiro mifune and kurosawa just work so well together. great performances, great narrative, great diection; just great.
again, it's incredibly hard to narrow down a list of just five films. a testament to the strength of asian cinema; now, are we moving on to lists of or top five pieces of chinese, taiwanese and thai cinema next?
Korea
Save The Green Planet
I knew little of the plot and hadn't read anything about it apart from the back of the DVD when I bought it. When I watched it I was gripped from start to finish as I simply couldn't figure out what was coming next, this being the main reason why I love Asian cinema so much, Hollywood stuff is so painfully predictable at times.
The characters are fantastic, the actors are superb and the set design was beautiful. I found the last few scenes particularly affecting as I watched the "hero" decend deeper and deeper into his madness and after his situation was explained properly I almost shed a tear. I especially loved the ending and the message put across during one of the final interogation scenes with the montage of real life atrocities.
Sympathy For Mr Vengance
I'll echo dandan's comments about the stylistic elements of the film. The direction style when dealing with the deaf/mute's (you'll have to excuse my memory for character names, I'm rubbish at remembering the people I meet in reality, let alone names from films) point of view really put me into his world and, again, made me feel very sympathetic to his situation. Watching everyone "lose" for a change and not get the typical happy ending made for a very different experience to the majority of films I've seen. The ways in which each character has their own reasons for what they do and the way in which none of them get what they want from their morally ambiguous actions was very refreshing. The irony of the ending made me smile as well.
I'll leave that there for now, need to crack on with some work.
Save The Green Planet
I knew little of the plot and hadn't read anything about it apart from the back of the DVD when I bought it. When I watched it I was gripped from start to finish as I simply couldn't figure out what was coming next, this being the main reason why I love Asian cinema so much, Hollywood stuff is so painfully predictable at times.
The characters are fantastic, the actors are superb and the set design was beautiful. I found the last few scenes particularly affecting as I watched the "hero" decend deeper and deeper into his madness and after his situation was explained properly I almost shed a tear. I especially loved the ending and the message put across during one of the final interogation scenes with the montage of real life atrocities.
Sympathy For Mr Vengance
I'll echo dandan's comments about the stylistic elements of the film. The direction style when dealing with the deaf/mute's (you'll have to excuse my memory for character names, I'm rubbish at remembering the people I meet in reality, let alone names from films) point of view really put me into his world and, again, made me feel very sympathetic to his situation. Watching everyone "lose" for a change and not get the typical happy ending made for a very different experience to the majority of films I've seen. The ways in which each character has their own reasons for what they do and the way in which none of them get what they want from their morally ambiguous actions was very refreshing. The irony of the ending made me smile as well.
I'll leave that there for now, need to crack on with some work.
Has anyone here seen Address Unknown? I saw it on sale the other day, and was divided on whether or not to give it a go. It's Kim Ki Duk, which means it could be a crap-shoot. I liked 3-Iron and loved Spring Summer, Autumn Winter.... And Spring. I was confused by - and didn't really like - Bad Guy and I'm too much of a chicken-sh*t to watch The Isle. Advice? Dan Dan? Anyone?
QUOTE (Jinx)
Has anyone here seen Address Unknown? I saw it on sale the other day, and was divided on whether or not to give it a go. It's Kim Ki Duk, which means it could be a crap-shoot. I liked 3-Iron and loved Spring Summer, Autumn Winter.... And Spring. I was confused by - and didn't really like - Bad Guy and I'm too much of a chicken-sh*t to watch The Isle. Advice? Dan Dan? Anyone?
well...
QUOTE (me)
address unknown - despite having a crappy full screen copy of this, i enjoyed it. well, 'enjoyed it' probably isn't the right phrase to use...
this early kim ki-duk film focuses on a small town in rural korea where a us amy base is located; it's not quite as 'tidy' as his recent efforts, but it's typically loaded with metaphor and commentary as you'd expect.
the main characters in the film are a truely eclectic bunch; a girl with one badly damaged eye, her loser brother, two local bullies, a quiet geek, a mixed race (korean/african-american) boy, his unhinged mother, a 'dog man' (who buys dogs, kills then, butchers their meat and sells it) and an pill-popping american solider...
man, you really get sucked into these characters and then get taken through the mill with them; felt like shit whilst watching some scenes, but found time to laugh at others.
i really hope that this gets a nice re-issue as several of his earlier works seem to be getting that treatment at the moment...
this early kim ki-duk film focuses on a small town in rural korea where a us amy base is located; it's not quite as 'tidy' as his recent efforts, but it's typically loaded with metaphor and commentary as you'd expect.
the main characters in the film are a truely eclectic bunch; a girl with one badly damaged eye, her loser brother, two local bullies, a quiet geek, a mixed race (korean/african-american) boy, his unhinged mother, a 'dog man' (who buys dogs, kills then, butchers their meat and sells it) and an pill-popping american solider...
man, you really get sucked into these characters and then get taken through the mill with them; felt like shit whilst watching some scenes, but found time to laugh at others.
i really hope that this gets a nice re-issue as several of his earlier works seem to be getting that treatment at the moment...
since i wrote this, a nice re-issue has cropped up and there's also a uk (tartan) release, which looks like it'll be good.
'bad guy' is one of his that i haven't seen, but i hear very mixed reports about it. although, you hear mixed reports about nearly all of his films...
i do love 'spring, summer, autumn, winter... and spring' and '3-iron', but they're a lot easier to watch than the likes of 'the isle' (which made me gasp at a couple of points!), 'samaria', 'birdcage inn' and 'address unknown'...
oh, and 'memories of murder' and 'save the green planet' would both have been included in a 'top 10', maybe even in the 'top 5' on another day...
I didnt think very much to Bad Guy but enjoyed The Isle.
Another few very good korean films which I dont think have been mentioned are Crying Fist, Arahan and A Bittersweet Life.
Another few very good korean films which I dont think have been mentioned are Crying Fist, Arahan and A Bittersweet Life.
My top five Japanese films:
Tokyo Story
Pitfall
Ikiru
An Actor's Revenge
Hana-bi
My top five Hong Kong films:
Chungking Express
In the Mood For Love
Happy Together
Days of Being Wild
Infernal Affairs
A bit dominated by Wong Kar Wai but I can't think of other HK films, of the few I've seen, I like more.
My top five South Korean films:
I haven't seen very many South Korean films.
Memories of Murder
Save the Green Planet
Oldboy
Nowhere To Hide
Spring, Summer...
Tokyo Story
Pitfall
Ikiru
An Actor's Revenge
Hana-bi
My top five Hong Kong films:
Chungking Express
In the Mood For Love
Happy Together
Days of Being Wild
Infernal Affairs
A bit dominated by Wong Kar Wai but I can't think of other HK films, of the few I've seen, I like more.
My top five South Korean films:
I haven't seen very many South Korean films.
Memories of Murder
Save the Green Planet
Oldboy
Nowhere To Hide
Spring, Summer...
QUOTE (dandan @ Aug 31 2006, 10:16 AM)
yeah, i do my best...
Hehe, that comment wasn't aimed at anyone in particular
Japan. Now this is hard.
Hana-Bi
Takeshi Kitano is frankly one of the greatest film makers in the world, let alone Japan. And for me this is his best....or maybe Kikijuro...or Brother...or Zatoichi...
Battle Royale
Imagine if Hollywood do do this. How polished and saccarine it will be. The fact that it is neither are two of the many reasons why the film is so great. Oh, and Takeshi Kitano
Wild Zero
Guitar Wolf and zombies. I was bound to love it.
Kamikazee Girls
Sometimes I like a film that's just plain odd. Who'd have thought such an funny, energetic and exciting film would be made about embroidery?
The Returner
I have a soft spot for this. Borrows heavily from Terminator and The Matrix ( and a few others) and still ends up being better than most Hollywood sc-fi action films
Apart from the top 2 this could be so different depending on my mood...Shindo, Miyazaki, Suzuki, Miike or Kurosawa could easily have had some films in their. DarK Water and Ring were close calls too. And quite a few others (Sonny Chiba! Godzilla!)
Hana-Bi
Takeshi Kitano is frankly one of the greatest film makers in the world, let alone Japan. And for me this is his best....or maybe Kikijuro...or Brother...or Zatoichi...
Battle Royale
Imagine if Hollywood do do this. How polished and saccarine it will be. The fact that it is neither are two of the many reasons why the film is so great. Oh, and Takeshi Kitano
Wild Zero
Guitar Wolf and zombies. I was bound to love it.
Kamikazee Girls
Sometimes I like a film that's just plain odd. Who'd have thought such an funny, energetic and exciting film would be made about embroidery?
The Returner
I have a soft spot for this. Borrows heavily from Terminator and The Matrix ( and a few others) and still ends up being better than most Hollywood sc-fi action films
Apart from the top 2 this could be so different depending on my mood...Shindo, Miyazaki, Suzuki, Miike or Kurosawa could easily have had some films in their. DarK Water and Ring were close calls too. And quite a few others (Sonny Chiba! Godzilla!)
good choices sost, although i'm yet to watch 'the returner' or 'wild zero' although they're both on lists that are getting slowly purchased. i await your hong kong list...
coming soon from hong kong is...
coming soon from hong kong is...
QUOTE (hindu.com)
'Dog Bite Dog' showcases mankind at its most primal
The term 'dog eat dog' applies to brutal office politics or cutthroat competition. When director Soi Cheang set out to make his new film, he took its meaning literally.
'Dog Bite Dog' is one of the grittiest, bloodiest Chinese-language movies released in the past year, in which men sink to the level of dogs and, yes, bite each other.
Hong Kong films are known to be violent, but when Chow Yun-fat goes all guns blazing against his enemies there is a certain stylishness and elegance to it.
There's limited gunplay in 'Dog Bite Dog', it's simply nakedly primal wrestling, punching, stabbing with no inhibitions whatsoever.
Hong Kong heartthrob Edison Chen, due to appear in the upcoming sequel to 'The Grudge' alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar, plays Pang, a Cambodian killer raised as a freestyle combat fighter who takes a hit job in Hong Kong.
A team of police officers led by hotheaded Wai (Sam Lee) pursues him doggedly but proves no match for the vicious Pang.
The plot takes several bizarre and far-fetched twists, capped by an utterly over-the-top ending.
But none of that matters. Cheang's film is about sheer shock value and sensory assault and he achieves those goals with flair.
It's a beautifully coloured film, Cheang favors a light yellow tint, that boasts superb production and wardrobe design.
From the opening sequences of a dark ship where an old lady quietly prepares a bland porridge meal, to a makeshift hut in an expansive rubbish landfill, to an abandoned wet market filled with rubble, Cheang is expert at creating an apocalyptic mood.
Chen fully immerses himself in his character as the ruthless, animal-like Pang, who dresses in ragged clothes and grabs food with his hands and shoves it into his mouth. When he kills, Pang does so without flinching, hacking away at his opponents with no mercy.
The film is also a spooky exploration of human nature. When the police officers can't contain Pang, they stoop to his level and use his tactics, holding his girlfriend hostage and beating her to persuade him to give up. The officers are just as cruel as Pang when harassing sources for information, assaulting them at will.
``Dog Bite Dog'' isn't for the squeamish, but it fulfills its mission, painting a picture of a human society without civilization.
The term 'dog eat dog' applies to brutal office politics or cutthroat competition. When director Soi Cheang set out to make his new film, he took its meaning literally.
'Dog Bite Dog' is one of the grittiest, bloodiest Chinese-language movies released in the past year, in which men sink to the level of dogs and, yes, bite each other.
Hong Kong films are known to be violent, but when Chow Yun-fat goes all guns blazing against his enemies there is a certain stylishness and elegance to it.
There's limited gunplay in 'Dog Bite Dog', it's simply nakedly primal wrestling, punching, stabbing with no inhibitions whatsoever.
Hong Kong heartthrob Edison Chen, due to appear in the upcoming sequel to 'The Grudge' alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar, plays Pang, a Cambodian killer raised as a freestyle combat fighter who takes a hit job in Hong Kong.
A team of police officers led by hotheaded Wai (Sam Lee) pursues him doggedly but proves no match for the vicious Pang.
The plot takes several bizarre and far-fetched twists, capped by an utterly over-the-top ending.
But none of that matters. Cheang's film is about sheer shock value and sensory assault and he achieves those goals with flair.
It's a beautifully coloured film, Cheang favors a light yellow tint, that boasts superb production and wardrobe design.
From the opening sequences of a dark ship where an old lady quietly prepares a bland porridge meal, to a makeshift hut in an expansive rubbish landfill, to an abandoned wet market filled with rubble, Cheang is expert at creating an apocalyptic mood.
Chen fully immerses himself in his character as the ruthless, animal-like Pang, who dresses in ragged clothes and grabs food with his hands and shoves it into his mouth. When he kills, Pang does so without flinching, hacking away at his opponents with no mercy.
The film is also a spooky exploration of human nature. When the police officers can't contain Pang, they stoop to his level and use his tactics, holding his girlfriend hostage and beating her to persuade him to give up. The officers are just as cruel as Pang when harassing sources for information, assaulting them at will.
``Dog Bite Dog'' isn't for the squeamish, but it fulfills its mission, painting a picture of a human society without civilization.
interesting, very interesting...
a new hong kong gangster film from woo...
QUOTE (hollywoodreporter)
"CMC Entertainment, a new film giant formed a year ago in Taiwan, is making big splashes. CMC is co-financing director John Woo's highly anticipated historic drama "Battle of Red Cliff," starring Chow Yun-Fat, Tony Leung and Taiwan supermodel Lin Chi-ling. Also in preproduction is "Blood Brothers," Woo's first gangster film since his return to Asia. The project stars Taiwan superstar Shu Qi, Chang Chen and Hong Kong star Daniel Wu."
a new hong kong gangster film from woo...
I think I may have narrowed down my Top 5 HK films. A list completely changed due to one man's output over the last few years...
Kung Fu Hustle
Just bettering Shaolin Soccer because it fetures the funniest scene in movie history....the "knife" scene.
Shaolin Soccer
Football and kung-fu. A match made in heaven.
Hard Boiled
It may be a bit dated now, but this was my first John Woo I'd seen at the cinema. I'd only seen The Killer and A Better Tomorrow before this one, and still I was unprepared for the over the topness of it all.
Infernal Affairs
One of the greatest cop/gangster films ever. Full stop.
Hero
The most beautiful film to look at. A film that gets better with subsequent viewing.
No Jackie Chan!! The man is a god. Almost every film he does contains at least one moment of genius. But overall I find his films to be more often than not good films with outstanding moments, as opposed to just great films. He does have a few that are nearly there.
Bruce Lee? Nah. Never really got into him.
There are a quite a few that coould have been in there...more Woo, Chungking Express, Mr Vampire....but for now, that top 5 will do.
Kung Fu Hustle
Just bettering Shaolin Soccer because it fetures the funniest scene in movie history....the "knife" scene.
Shaolin Soccer
Football and kung-fu. A match made in heaven.
Hard Boiled
It may be a bit dated now, but this was my first John Woo I'd seen at the cinema. I'd only seen The Killer and A Better Tomorrow before this one, and still I was unprepared for the over the topness of it all.
Infernal Affairs
One of the greatest cop/gangster films ever. Full stop.
Hero
The most beautiful film to look at. A film that gets better with subsequent viewing.
No Jackie Chan!! The man is a god. Almost every film he does contains at least one moment of genius. But overall I find his films to be more often than not good films with outstanding moments, as opposed to just great films. He does have a few that are nearly there.
Bruce Lee? Nah. Never really got into him.
There are a quite a few that coould have been in there...more Woo, Chungking Express, Mr Vampire....but for now, that top 5 will do.
good choices mr s. although, the more pedantic may take issue as, 'hero' is a chinese film...
i'll let you off though.
i'll let you off though.
Tony Jaa interview
Looks like Tom Yung Goong is finally on its way to an official release on these shores!
It's been renamed The Protector for the Americans and Warrior King over here. Looks like there's been a fair chunk of the film edited out for the international audience according to IMDB-
I'd wager that most of the stuff that's gone will be from the traditional dancing scene as well as a few of the other cultural references that are unlikely to be appreciated by anyone outside Thailand.
I really hope this gets shown in a cinema local to me, this is one film that would really benefit from a viewing on a huge screen.
Looks like Tom Yung Goong is finally on its way to an official release on these shores!
It's been renamed The Protector for the Americans and Warrior King over here. Looks like there's been a fair chunk of the film edited out for the international audience according to IMDB-
QUOTE
Runtime: 108 min / USA:81 min / Germany:90 min
I'd wager that most of the stuff that's gone will be from the traditional dancing scene as well as a few of the other cultural references that are unlikely to be appreciated by anyone outside Thailand.
I really hope this gets shown in a cinema local to me, this is one film that would really benefit from a viewing on a huge screen.
i reckon that they'll have done their best to remove all the scenes with petchtai wongkamlao and trimmed the number of times that tony shouts 'where are my elephants'...
have you watched it yet mr z?
what did you reckon?
have you watched it yet mr z?
what did you reckon?
aah, just been doing some more reading...
'tom yum goong' will be released as 'warrior king' in the uk (by hong kong legends), it will be uncut, although, it may have been rescored, ala 'ong-bak'. just in case you're interested, the only uncut version of 'ong-bak', with the original soundtrack and english subtitles, is the australian special edition. the others are either unsubbed, rescored or the besson cut.
it will be released in the us as 'the protector', by the weinsteins new company; hence, expect absolutely no respect to be shown to the source material. i would have joked that it's probably got a new score by rza, but that actually turns out to be the case...
for more changes, with minor spoilers, read on...
'tom yum goong' will be released as 'warrior king' in the uk (by hong kong legends), it will be uncut, although, it may have been rescored, ala 'ong-bak'. just in case you're interested, the only uncut version of 'ong-bak', with the original soundtrack and english subtitles, is the australian special edition. the others are either unsubbed, rescored or the besson cut.
it will be released in the us as 'the protector', by the weinsteins new company; hence, expect absolutely no respect to be shown to the source material. i would have joked that it's probably got a new score by rza, but that actually turns out to be the case...
for more changes, with minor spoilers, read on...
QUOTE
The following list is not all-inclusive. It is just the main things I noticed.
1) Kham's uncle is now his father.
2) Kham's "father" gets shot, they cut the scene showing that he survives, and then purposely mistranslate Thai spoken lines to say that he was killed.
3) Everyone has new voices, even if they already spoke english. They dub new english voices over the Australians, (which is *beep* retarded).
4) They change spoken lines, even English lines, (which is also *beep* retarded). For example, right before the scene where Kham fights all the skaters, Johnny says "kill him" in the original version, but in this one they dub over a different voice saying, "He'll pay" or "make him pay".
5) Pretty much all the comedic scenes with Petchtai Wongkamlao are cut. That whole scene where he is being interviewed by the news lady is gone. His partial English, partial Thai dialogue with his partner is nonexistent. Now almost everything he says is in English. The only exception is when he is speaking Thai to Kham in the police car.
6) Madame Rose is no longer a transexual. They take that out completely. Her mob family doesn't want her to be the leader simply because she is a woman, not because she is a shemale.
7) Sometimes they interlaced two scenes together. For example, you'd see parts of Kham at the religious ceremony after his elephants are stolen mixed with the band playing at his first fight scene. In this way, they shorten that whole segment.
8) The movie begins with text telling the background of this Jaturangkabat (sp?) tradition.
9) The ending doesn't have the monologue about elephants being respected in Thai culture. Instead they have replaced it with some English monologue that gives praises to the overall culture without even mentioning the elephants.
In conclusion, any of what gave strength to the already somewhat weak plot is gone. What gave the plot some strength and validity was the rich Thai culture and how they have been raising elephants for Thai Kings for thousands of years. Now the whole thing is watered down and has little to do with the elephants. By making Kham's uncle into his father and killing him, they are trying to give ignorant American audiences a more acceptable reason for Kham's actions. Most of the fighting is still here, but not all of it. Also, the sound is terrible. I saw this film the first time in Hong Kong theaters when it was released about a year ago. I was so hyped up after seeing it, I told some buddies a couple days later and I went to see it again with them.
1) Kham's uncle is now his father.
2) Kham's "father" gets shot, they cut the scene showing that he survives, and then purposely mistranslate Thai spoken lines to say that he was killed.
3) Everyone has new voices, even if they already spoke english. They dub new english voices over the Australians, (which is *beep* retarded).
4) They change spoken lines, even English lines, (which is also *beep* retarded). For example, right before the scene where Kham fights all the skaters, Johnny says "kill him" in the original version, but in this one they dub over a different voice saying, "He'll pay" or "make him pay".
5) Pretty much all the comedic scenes with Petchtai Wongkamlao are cut. That whole scene where he is being interviewed by the news lady is gone. His partial English, partial Thai dialogue with his partner is nonexistent. Now almost everything he says is in English. The only exception is when he is speaking Thai to Kham in the police car.
6) Madame Rose is no longer a transexual. They take that out completely. Her mob family doesn't want her to be the leader simply because she is a woman, not because she is a shemale.
7) Sometimes they interlaced two scenes together. For example, you'd see parts of Kham at the religious ceremony after his elephants are stolen mixed with the band playing at his first fight scene. In this way, they shorten that whole segment.
8) The movie begins with text telling the background of this Jaturangkabat (sp?) tradition.
9) The ending doesn't have the monologue about elephants being respected in Thai culture. Instead they have replaced it with some English monologue that gives praises to the overall culture without even mentioning the elephants.
In conclusion, any of what gave strength to the already somewhat weak plot is gone. What gave the plot some strength and validity was the rich Thai culture and how they have been raising elephants for Thai Kings for thousands of years. Now the whole thing is watered down and has little to do with the elephants. By making Kham's uncle into his father and killing him, they are trying to give ignorant American audiences a more acceptable reason for Kham's actions. Most of the fighting is still here, but not all of it. Also, the sound is terrible. I saw this film the first time in Hong Kong theaters when it was released about a year ago. I was so hyped up after seeing it, I told some buddies a couple days later and I went to see it again with them.
QUOTE
Everyone has new voices, even if they already spoke english. They dub new english voices over the Australians, (which is *beep* retarded).
4) They change spoken lines, even English lines, (which is also *beep* retarded). For example, right before the scene where Kham fights all the skaters, Johnny says "kill him" in the original version, but in this one they dub over a different voice saying, "He'll pay" or "make him pay".
5) Pretty much all the comedic scenes with Petchtai Wongkamlao are cut. That whole scene where he is being interviewed by the news lady is gone. His partial English, partial Thai dialogue with his partner is nonexistent. Now almost everything he says is in English. The only exception is when he is speaking Thai to Kham in the police car.
Fucks sake. Thats retarded.4) They change spoken lines, even English lines, (which is also *beep* retarded). For example, right before the scene where Kham fights all the skaters, Johnny says "kill him" in the original version, but in this one they dub over a different voice saying, "He'll pay" or "make him pay".
5) Pretty much all the comedic scenes with Petchtai Wongkamlao are cut. That whole scene where he is being interviewed by the news lady is gone. His partial English, partial Thai dialogue with his partner is nonexistent. Now almost everything he says is in English. The only exception is when he is speaking Thai to Kham in the police car.
Z has seen it and so have I, the Engrish in it had great comedic value. It would be nice to have the film in its original cut
indeed, it's ridiculous. the weinsteins are such dicks...
well, i got the very nice two disc set from thailand, which is unsubbed, but that makes very little difference. 'tom yum goong' is pretty poor, apart from mr jaa's talents; i don't think i'll ever watch it all the way through again, unlike 'ong-bak', which is a lot more fun.
the thai dvd is absolutely packed with extras, there's even a hidden feature that shows the development of all the action sequences, in funny little sets that mimic the locations. it also has a lot of the excellent 'ong-bak world tour' footage, that's pretty damn entertaining.
well, i got the very nice two disc set from thailand, which is unsubbed, but that makes very little difference. 'tom yum goong' is pretty poor, apart from mr jaa's talents; i don't think i'll ever watch it all the way through again, unlike 'ong-bak', which is a lot more fun.
the thai dvd is absolutely packed with extras, there's even a hidden feature that shows the development of all the action sequences, in funny little sets that mimic the locations. it also has a lot of the excellent 'ong-bak world tour' footage, that's pretty damn entertaining.
I also watched it unsubbed and found it more exciting then Ong Bak. I don't know why I think I found Tony Jaa's character to be a lot more violent and ready to hurt people. Not to mention he hurts a lot more people in this film then Ong-Bak.
The one take huge fight up the stairs though really captured me.
It was friggin awesome and a ballsy thing to capture in one take.
The one take huge fight up the stairs though really captured me.
It was friggin awesome and a ballsy thing to capture in one take.
QUOTE
5) Pretty much all the comedic scenes with Petchtai Wongkamlao are cut. That whole scene where he is being interviewed by the news lady is gone. His partial English, partial Thai dialogue with his partner is nonexistent. Now almost everything he says is in English. The only exception is when he is speaking Thai to Kham in the police car.
6) Madame Rose is no longer a transexual. They take that out completely. Her mob family doesn't want her to be the leader simply because she is a woman, not because she is a shemale.
6) Madame Rose is no longer a transexual. They take that out completely. Her mob family doesn't want her to be the leader simply because she is a woman, not because she is a shemale.
What rubbish. I quite enjoyed the scenes with Petchtai Wongkamlao, as much as I could understand of them without subs. The bit where he's talking to the film crew is great.
Trying to pass Madame Rose off as a woman is pretty damned stupid, it's very clear that it's a man for crying out loud.
Thank god they're not fucking up the UK cut like that, it's a joke.
QUOTE (dandan @ Sep 13 2006, 01:33 PM)
have you watched it yet mr z?
what did you reckon?
what did you reckon?
I saw it months ago, sure I mentioned it, but as I love it there's no harm in chatting about it some more. I saw it quite soon after it had been released in Thailand on a bootlegged copy without subtitles.
I thought it was fantastic stuff almost all the way through, bar the slow build up and prolonged dancing scene.
While lacking the finesse and clear Thai boxing style of Ong Bak, Jaa's much more unfocused, aggressive style works brilliantly and is a reasuringly different use of Jaa's skills to those seen previously.
I also enjoyed the plot quite a lot as well, again as much as I could gather without the aid of subtitles. I've read a load of comments invarious places saying that it's the weakest point of the film, but I reckon it's close to perfection given the focus of the film being action. Even without the subtitles it was clear about the reverence that elephants are given in Thailand and from there it's quite simple to understand Jaa's (not got a clue what the character's name is) motivations for his quest. It's a relatively simple concept, but it makes a nice change for the bad guys not to be solely involved in drugs or other standard evil doings that are getting to be a little standard and passe.
Jaa even acts quite well, the sequence toward the end, just before the bone breaking fight, with his reaction to seeing the bones cut with flashbacks of him growing up with the elephant was brilliant and, I'm sort of embarrased to admit it, but I found it quite affecting.
In short, I thought it was close to perfection for an action/martial arts film.
How's about your good self?
QUOTE (monkeyman @ Sep 13 2006, 03:40 PM)
I also watched it unsubbed and found it more exciting then Ong Bak. I don't know why I think I found Tony Jaa's character to be a lot more violent and ready to hurt people. Not to mention he hurts a lot more people in this film then Ong-Bak.
The one take huge fight up the stairs though really captured me.
It was friggin awesome and a ballsy thing to capture in one take.
The one take huge fight up the stairs though really captured me.
It was friggin awesome and a ballsy thing to capture in one take.
narrative-wise, i think that 'ong-bak' is much neater and much more grounded; i'm not saying that i don't enjoy 'tom yum goong's' ridiculousness, but i found myself fast-forwarding on a second viewing.
the one take fight is great; tony looks absolutely knackered by the end...
my favourite bit is with the capoeira bloke, he's got some very flashy moves.
QUOTE (zeden)
How's about your good self?
as i said, i like a lot of it's oddness, but i prefer 'ong-bak's plot and characters.
in terms of action, it's a very difficult call; 'ong-bak' was just so refreshing and the chase sequence is one of my all-time favourites. 'tom yum goong' does have some truely amazing work in it though, but i feel that it didn't move on enough, from 'ong-bak'.
i'm glad to see that he's having a stab at directing 'ong-bak 2' himself, as i don't rate prachya pikaew. hopefully, it'll be more like the old school punna rittikrai films, that all seem to end with a forty minute action sequence; ala 'born to fight'.
still, the rumours about him going to hong kong for his next film were more exciting, although it looks as if he's sticking with prachya for 'sword' and the monkey god film...
Fair enough my man. I found Jaa's performance a little too sterile and lacking in personality in Ong Bak which places it below TYG in my estimation, but it does suit the character so it's forgivable. I just found the anger and emotion that Jaa's character has in TYG made me empathise more.
You're damned right about Ong Bak being refreshing. It was like a breath of fresh air into the martial arts genre which, in terms of UK/international releases, was getting a little saturated with special effects and wire work type stuff. Getting back to the core of one on one fights using traditional techniques was fantastic and certainly reinvigorated my waning interest in the genre.
I think that part of why TYG might not be recieved so well is because people are expecting another revalation in terms of what you see, when in fact the film is more of a retreading of what had already been seen in Ong Bak with the action and performance turned up a notch.
Looking forward to all the upcoming Jaa films, it's great that there is once again a young martial arts star around to partially fill the void that's starting to open up as Jackie Chan and Jet Lee get older and more embroiled in Hollywood.
Oh yeah, monkey god film? This is really wishful thinking, but it hasn't got anything to do with Journey to the West/Monkey has it?
You're damned right about Ong Bak being refreshing. It was like a breath of fresh air into the martial arts genre which, in terms of UK/international releases, was getting a little saturated with special effects and wire work type stuff. Getting back to the core of one on one fights using traditional techniques was fantastic and certainly reinvigorated my waning interest in the genre.
I think that part of why TYG might not be recieved so well is because people are expecting another revalation in terms of what you see, when in fact the film is more of a retreading of what had already been seen in Ong Bak with the action and performance turned up a notch.
Looking forward to all the upcoming Jaa films, it's great that there is once again a young martial arts star around to partially fill the void that's starting to open up as Jackie Chan and Jet Lee get older and more embroiled in Hollywood.
Oh yeah, monkey god film? This is really wishful thinking, but it hasn't got anything to do with Journey to the West/Monkey has it?
QUOTE (zeden @ Sep 13 2006, 04:40 PM)
Oh yeah, monkey god film? This is really wishful thinking, but it hasn't got anything to do with Journey to the West/Monkey has it?
ha! i thought that'd make your ears prick up...
'hanuman' - it's rumoured to be a 2008 project. deatils about the story;
"The Ramayana epic first, several hundred years ago, was told on the Indian subcontinent but has since spread from there as far away as Indonesia. It is the legend of the hero Rama and the beautiful princess Sita , and of the fight between gods and demons and good and evil. The Siamese or Thai version of the story is called Ramakien. Large parts of this Thai version of the Thai Ramakien have, by the way, been written by King Rama II, who before his succession to the throne was a poet and writer. The Ramakien story goes as follows:
Once upon a time there was a giant king (called Tosakan ) on the island of Lanka who won a battle against the god Indra and then sought to achieve the rule of the whole world. The gods knew that only a mortal man would be able to stop the invulnerable giant and sent the god Vishnu down to earth.
Vishnu is reincarnated as Prince Rama (Phra Ram) , son of the mighty King Tosarot of Ayuthaya . Rama and his faithful brother and friend Lakshman ( Phra Lak) become famous heroes and Rama is appointed by his father as successor to the throne of Ayuthaya. When Rama manages to win beautiful and chaste Princess Sita as his wife, their happiness seems complete. However, an envious concubine of King Tosarot convinces him to favor her son and to disinherit Prince Rama. Rama, Sita, and the faithful Lakshman are expelled from the royal palace and have to flee into the jungle where they spend the next fourteen years hidden in a hermitage.
Even in the seclusion of their forest retreat, however, Sita`s beauty does not go unnoticed, and the evil giant King Tosakan decides to lure her way from Rama. He disguises himself as a lovely deer and carries Sita off to Lanka where she is forced to live in his palace. Rama and Lakshman, of course, try to find her and enlist the help of the monkey king Subrik and his white general, Hanuman . Hanuman, by flying through the air to Lanka, finally discovers poor Sita.
Supported by Hanuman and an army of monkeys, Rama and his brother reach the coast in front of Lanka and Hanuman builds with his body a causeway to the island
And the battle starts. When it turns out that Rama and his followers are going to be victorious, however, the evil giant Tosakan manages to sneak out of the palace and takes lovely Sita with him. Again, it is Hanuman who helps: he finds the giant and becomes his confidant. Tosakan trusts him so much that he reveals to Hanuman the secret of his invulnerability. That allows Prince Rama to successfully fight (in an exhausting seven day battle) and finally kill the giant and to win Sita back - although in the beginning he does not believe in Sita`s faithfulness and she must undergo a trial of fire to prove her chastity.
All of them now return to Ayuthaya , where the unlawful king, the son of the envious concubine, resigns and Rama again becomes king. Everybody could be happy now, but Rama is still in doubt about Sita, who is expecting a child. He expels her from the palace and orders his brother Lakshman to have her killed. Lakshman, however, does not obey and brings Sita instead back to the hermit in the jungle where she and Rama spent fourteen years during Rama`s exile. There she gives birth to a son and the hermit, a powerful magician, forms a twin brother of the child and teaches both arts and mystics. Rama hears about the children, and finally recognizes his son. After a final battle with the remaining rebel giants, Rama`s mission is fulfilled and he returns to heaven."
That sounds Awesome.What did you think of Unleashed Dan?
QUOTE (monkeyman @ Sep 13 2006, 08:39 PM)
That sounds Awesome.What did you think of Unleashed Dan?
acting wise; i thought jet li did well, he wasn't great, but he did a good job. bob hoskins, on the other hand was fantastic! seems like he was having a lot of fun, being a big bad bastard. i can take or leave morgam freeman...
the story served it's purpose. i enjoyed it's mix of silly underground fighting and slushy drama.
action wise, it was a lot of fun. i seem to remember particularly enjoying the fight in a toilet (or some other very tight space); classic yuen woo-ping.
overall, the li / yuen action, combined with the hoskins factor, made it a winner. i prefer, the goofier, 'danny the dog' title...
did you watch 'fearless'?
i knew he was stopping doing martial arts films, but is a change of career on the cards?
QUOTE (ap)
Actor Jet Li throws out the first pitch before the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers baseball game at Wrigley Field, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2006, in Chicago.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
QUOTE (dandan @ Sep 13 2006, 09:41 PM)
did you watch 'fearless'?
Nope, not yet at least.
And yah, Danny the Dog was a much better title.
I've watched Fearless once, but alas I was waaaaaaaaay too stoned and tired to remember it properly. I do remember enjoying it though. 
QUOTE
action wise, it was a lot of fun. i seem to remember particularly enjoying the fight in a toilet (or some other very tight space); classic yuen woo-ping.
Unleashed was good fun, but 'classic' woo-ping? I didn't think so...
The first couple of fights were great - very tight - but when the fights went out into the underground fighting ring I thought they lost it a bit...
QUOTE (martin @ Sep 14 2006, 07:28 PM)
Unleashed was good fun, but 'classic' woo-ping? I didn't think so...
the scene in the cubicle was. the rest wasn't.
Heads up everyone - buy The Times this Saturday (16th sept) and you get a free dvd of the classic In The Mood For Love... 
just noticed a very scary looking bloke, gazing at zhang ziyi, after her arrival at the totonto film festival. what, exactly, is he pointing at?
It's like he's looking up to the heavens and saying "Is this why you put me here lord?"
QUOTE (zeden @ Sep 18 2006, 12:09 PM)
It's like he's looking up to the heavens and saying "Is this why you put me here lord?"
or "hey, can you sign this?"
or signalling "Now! Now! Drop the net! She will be mine!!"
I watched a Korean film called 'A Tale of 2 Sisters' today, which I believe to be one of the scariest films I've ever seen. It was damn good though. Has anyone else seen it?
yep, 'a tale of two sisters' is great.
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